Agriculture

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Farm, Food and Enterprise Development team is holding two webinars in August that will explore the role of intense heat on farmers and growers, as well as their crops.

“Heat exposure is an increasing problem for agricultural workers, and can negatively impact their health and mental state,” said Alex Van Alstyne, food business extension specialist with Iowa State. “By addressing these issues, our goal is to protect the health of workers who bring food to our tables and offer guidance for small-scale growers on how to protect their crops.”

Both webinars are available at no cost to those who wish to attend. Read more information on each event below.

Deadlines/Dates
July 30: CRP/Kernza Field Day 
August 1: Deadline to submit a COC Nomination  
August 15: Deadline to enroll in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)
September 30: Deadline for ARCPLC Revisions

Eligibility for Nominations for the 2025 County Committee Elections 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs.

Committees are comprised of locally elected agricultural producers responsible for the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties. Committee members are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture. If elected, members become part of a local decision-making and farm program delivery process.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team’s monthly webinar series continues Tuesday, July 22, from noon to 1 p.m. This program will be presented by several Iowa State Veterinary College personnel: Dr. Matt Brewer, Dr. Grant Dewell, Dr. Chelsea Hamilton and Dr. Phillip Jardon.
Theileriosis, which is caused by Theileria orientalis Ikeda and spread via Asian Longhorned Ticks (ALHT), has been found in beef herds in southeast Iowa. While this disease is primarily of concern to beef producers, dairy animals on pasture may also be affected.

Deadlines/Dates
July 15: Deadline for Acreage Reporting 
July 30: CRP/Kernza Field Day 
August 15: Deadline to enroll in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)

How to Beat Invasive Weeds in CRP Plantings Without Harming Natives
Whether you’re restoring prairie, wetlands, or a pollinator paradise, CRP plantings often face their biggest threat not from drought or deer - but from aggressive weeds. Canada thistle, bromegrass, burdock, cottonwoods, wild parsnip, and their cohorts can outcompete your natives and reduce your habitat value fast.

Three unique sessions from ISU Extension and Outreach provide timely insights for crop producers

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting a hands-on Crop Walk series, providing mid-summer, late-season and pre-harvest tips for crop producers.

Three practical sessions offered during the growing season will share timely crop, disease and insect scouting information, as well as soil sampling and fertility insights to help producers with year-round decision-making.

Meaghan Anderson, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach, said the sessions will allow producers to observe and discuss local issues they may find in their own fields.

“This Crop Walk series aims to improve scouting skills and help participants understand the use of integrated pest management in making management decisions for crop weeds, diseases and insects,” she said.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
July 4: Closed in observance of Independence Day
July 15: Deadline for Acreage Reporting 
July 30: CRP/Kernza Field Day 
August 15: Deadline to enroll in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)

Joint Field Day for CRP and Kernza
The Allamakee Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) are hosting a field day reviewing the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and visiting a native/pollinator test plot along with a Kernza test plot both located at the Allamakee USDA office on July 30, 2025. 

Experts advise checking herds for ticks, parasites

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has confirmed a case of Theileriosis, caused by Theileria orientalis Ikeda, in a herd of cattle in southeast Iowa for the first time.

Theileria is a protozoan parasite that infects red and white blood cells, leading to anemia and, in some cases, death. The parasite is carried by Asian Longhorned Ticks (ALHT), which have recently been identified in Iowa for the first time. Although the tick will be active all summer, it is common to see a surge of infestations when cattle are first introduced into a new pasture. The presence of a preferred host generates a surge in new ticks, as females will begin to lay thousands of eggs.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
July 15: Deadline for Acreage Reporting
August 15: Deadline to enroll in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)

Managing your pasture to reduce soil erosion
ICM News Archive
When it comes to soil erosion and surface runoff from agriculture land, tillage and row-crop management, these attract a lot of attention. However, most Iowa land currently in pasture is unsuitable for crop production because of steep slopes. These slopes make pasture even more vulnerable to water erosion. Mismanaged pasture can contribute substantially to water quality degradation due to soil erosion and sediment transport to nearby water bodies.

Farmers will have an opportunity to see various strip-till bars in action during the Strip-Till Field Day near Crawfordsville on July 30.

Iowa continues to see an increasing number of acres of strip-tillage each year. “The goal of this field day is to increase awareness of strip-tillage as a conservation practice to help reduce erosion, improve soil health, protect water quality and complement cover-cropping systems,” said Rebecca Vittetoe, extension field agronomist with Iowa State University.

Attendees will have the opportunity to observe multiple strip-till bars showcased with field demonstrations on wheat residue, as well as visit static displays from supporting ag industry partners.

“This field day offers a great opportunity for those considering moving to a reduced tillage system as they can observe differences in equipment,” Vittetoe noted.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
June 19: Office closed in observance of Juneteenth 
July 15: Deadline for Acreage Reporting
August 15: Deadline to enroll in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)

USDA to Provide $1 Billion to Livestock Producers Impacted by Drought or Wildfire in 2023 and 2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the release of Congressionally mandated Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cover grazing losses due to eligible drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is leveraging existing Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) data to streamline payment calculations and expedite relief. Emergency relief payments are automatically issued for producers who have an approved LFP application on file for 2023 and/or 2024.